ITEMS OF SPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 31

ITEMS OF SPORT

• " ■ •:;.::; GENERAL. The Marist Brothers' senior cricket team,' and St. Anne's junior cricket team, who won the championship of their respective classes in the boys' cricket league (writes our Wellington correspondent), were presented with the trophies at the Star Picture Theatre on last Friday evening.

.The first net-ball match of the season (writes our Christchurch correspondent) was played on last Friday afternoon between the Sacred Heart High School pupils and those of the Technical College. The convent girls, with an unbroken record, were again victorious with a score of 7 points to 2. Miss Mills, of the Technical College, was referee.

St.. Anne's Cadets (writes our Wellington correspondent) fired the final for the championship belt on Saturday, and the winner turned up in Sergt. J. Fitzgerald. Sergt. Fitzgerald has only been shooting for two years, and has proved himself to be a most consistent shot. He is .the son of Mr. John Fitzgerald, of the Native Minister's Office, and is a very popular member of his company. Corp. Becker, the runner-up, has also shot consistently. The following . are the six highest aggregate scores for the belt:—Sergt. J. Fitzgerald (313), Corp. L. Becker (208), . L.-Corp. V. Becker (207), Corp. Knox (147), Priv. J. Molloy (136), Priv. Riddler (106).

The St. Joseph's Harriers, Dunedin, held their official opening run on Saturday week from the residence of their president, the Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C. Notwithstanding that a number of the members were absent on account of the Territorial camp, there was a large attendance. Before leaving on the run a photograph was taken. The trail led direct to the Valley road, which followed to Brockville road, where a turn was made to the right, past Mr. Sonntag's orchards, still following the road to the brow of the hill. Here a change was made to cross country in the direction of Half-way Bush, following down Fraser's Gully past the swimming baths, home. The runners were subsequently entertained with light refreshments by their host, assisted by lady friends. Mr. Butcher and Mr. O'Gorman thanked Mr. and Mrs. Callan for their kind hospitality.

The tennis season just concluded has brought out several young Catholic players of promise (writes our Wellington correspondent). Much surprise was created in the finals of the men's championship singles of the Brougham Hill Club by the defeat of the well-known player, Mr. H. Howe, by Mr. L. G. Butcher. The latter, who is only seventeen years of age, is an ex-St. Patrick's College boy. Another of the ex-students, in the person of Mr. Eric Reeves, has also earned favorable comment from tennis critics, and has several championships to his credit. Miss M. Davis, who is conceded to be the most graceful tennis player in Wellington, was for the second season in succession successful in carrying off the ladies' championship singles at the Brougham Hill Courts. Miss M. Williams won the ladies' combined doubles. For her partner on that occasion she had Miss B. Creasey (a former member of the Boulcott Street Tennis Club). Among the competitors at the electric light tournament, held on the Brougham Hill Courts, in connection with the citizens' carnival were Miss Mary Bradley, who had for a partner Mr. Carr, both of whom are members of the Catholic Club's tennis club. They contested three games, winning two and losing one.

On , the afternoon of Friday (writes our Christchurch correspondent) Rev. Fathers O'Boyle and Long distributed the prizes to the winners of the races at the recent Marist Brothers' School picnic at Sumner. Mr. W. P. Daly, of Adams and Co., presented a silver medal, and the clergy of the Cathedral donated the others. Father O'Boyle, in a happy speech, congratulated the boys on their great performances. He said that the fine scholastic results of last year proved that sports can be properly catered for without detriment to the studies, proving the old saying : ' A sound mind

in a sound body.' Father Long -. spoke in a similar strain. The prizes were then distributed:—-Race for boy's under 9, H. Handisides; under 10, R. McKay under 11, C. Dobbs; under' 12, Wm. O'Brien; under 13, E. Dickson; under 14, F. Khouri; under 15 J. MeCormack; jumps, J. McCormack; 100yds championship, J. McCormack; potato race, J. Kiely. The function ended with hearty cheers for the Cathedral clergy.

FOOTBALL. In last Saturday week's Rugby football (writes our Christchurch correspondent) the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' seniors lost to Merivale by 15 points to 3. In the Sydenham v. Marist Brothers' Old Boys' for the junior flag, the match resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. For the president's cup Marists defeated Linwood A at the North Park by 15 points to 3. For the winners Elliott (2), Davidson, Cronin, and Gorman scored tries. In the fourth class contest Marists were badly defeated by Merivale.

Over 4000 persons were present on Saturday at the Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, to witness the opening match of the season between Southern and Kaikorai. Southern shaped extremely well, and the indications are that they will put up a good record in the coming season. The veteran Steve Casey was as full of tricks and clever tactics as ever, but, judging from appearances, he will hardly win the prize this year for the best trained man in the team. Eeidy at full back kicked splendidly, either with or against the wind. Higgins made one slip due to over-eagerness, but for 'which he would have scored a certain try; otherwise he played a good game. Carnegie, the wing forward, played with great dash and brilliance, and is a valuable acquisition to the team. The place kicking of Graham was worth going a long way to see. The result was Southern, 11 points; Kaikorai, 3 points'.

The match between Union and Pirates ended in the former scoring 11 points to 10 by their opponents. Port Chalmers defeated Dunedin by 18 points to 5, and Zingari scored 11 points against 3 by Alhambra. The senior Rugby championship was continued on Saturday in Wellington. At Athletic Park two good games were witnessed, Oriental and Melrose fighting out such a keen contest as is rarely seen more than once or twice in a season. Petone's win over Poneke was not such a runaway one as the scores might seem to indicate, though they had the game well in hand all through. Oriental beat Melrose by three points to nil, Petone beat Poneke by 27 points to nil, Wellington beat St. James by 15 points to 3, and Athletic beat Victoria College by 14 points to nil.

The Rugby "Union competitions were continued in Christchurch on Saturday. The most interesting of the games played was that between Old Boys and Linwood at Lancaster Park, which after a good contest ended in a win for Linwood by a potted goal to a try. Linwood (4 points) beat Old Boys (3 points), Sydenham (15 points) beat Merivale (9 points), Albion (16 points) beat Christchurch (3 points).

The Marist Old Boys' junior flag team (writes our Christchurch correspondent) defeated Richmond at Richmond Park last Saturday by 3 points to nil. O'Shea scored a try for the winners. In the president's cup contest, the Marist Old Boys and Canterbury College, on the College grounds, played a drawn game, each side scoring 6 points. O'Malley and ®Frame scored for Marists.